Naruto: Different Path

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Naruto's first mission in the Anbu was bloody, revealing some of the darker sides of the ninja world. 

However, Naruto saw it as something that inevitably happens in such a chaotic world. He believed that such events occurred daily. 

Joining the Anbu brought him a wealth of combat experience, greatly enhancing his abilities. 

Knowing Naruto's strength, Tsunade assigned him a mission that wasn't too difficult, and Naruto efficiently completed it.

Meanwhile, Sasuke considered a genius like Naruto and has always been on the same squad. He began to doubt his strength and growth after witnessing Naruto's increasing power—especially after being provoked by Itachi Uchiha. 

As someone burdened by the massacre of his entire clan, Sasuke carried an unimaginable weight. 

His enemy was extremely powerful, so it was only natural that he felt desperate to grow stronger. 

Orochimaru, who had long coveted the Sharingan, saw this in Sasuke and knew that Sasuke would eventually come to him in search of more power.

As Orochimaru predicted, Sasuke, enticed by the promise of greater strength, willingly activated the power of the cursed seal and was placed inside a sealed coffin. 

He was then transported to Orochimaru's hideout by the Sound Four. 

Konoha soon realized this, and Tsunade called on Shikamaru, who had just been promoted to Chunin, to form a team to pursue the Sound Four and bring Sasuke back. 

Naruto didn't show much interest in this mission since Sasuke had left of his own free will to pursue strength. 

Even if they caught up with him, Naruto doubted they could change Sasuke's mind, and it seemed that following Orochimaru might help Sasuke grow stronger.

However, when Shikamaru asks Naruto for help, Naruto cannot refuse because of his close relationship with Sasuke. 

After a brief gathering, a five-man team consisting of Naruto, Shikamaru, Kiba, Choji, and Neji set out. 

In terms of intelligence, Naruto had to admit that Shikamaru was impressive, so he had no objections to letting him lead the team. 

Kiba was responsible for tracking, Neji for keeping watch, and Naruto acted as a backup, staying at a distance to avoid the team's complete annihilation.

After some time, Kiba's tracking abilities helped them get close to the Sound Four. The team moved cautiously but had little knowledge of the enemy's abilities. 

Despite their caution, the four members of the Sound Four quickly trapped Shikamaru's squad in a rock prison, a technique used by Jirobo, a large member of the Sound Four. 

This prison drained their chakra, and they would be finished once all their chakra was depleted.

Though his teammates were in danger, Naruto didn't immediately rush in. 

Each Sound Four possessed the power of the cursed seal and had their unique ninjutsu and the potential for coordinated attacks. 

It would be difficult to take them all on at once. Furthermore, their mission was to deliver Sasuke to Orochimaru as quickly as possible so they wouldn't all stay behind. 

Naruto knew they would leave someone to slow them down while the others carried Sasuke ahead. 

This strategy gave Naruto an opening to pick off the enemies individually.

Just as Naruto anticipated, when the other three members of the Sound Four took Sasuke's coffin and left, Jirobo remained behind. Naruto created two shadow clones—one to attack Jirobo and the other to use a Rasengan on the rock prison. 

Jirobo was surprised that Naruto wasn't with the others and had acted independently. 

He realized that if he dodged Naruto's attack, the rock prison would be destroyed, so he stayed to fight.

While Naruto's clone engaged Jirobo, the original Naruto broke the rock prison, freeing Shikamaru and the others. 

Naruto summoned ten shadow clones to distract Jirobo, allowing the team to regroup. 

Naruto prepared a combination of jutsu—Wind Release: Tornado and Fire Release: Dragon Flame Technique—resulting in a powerful combo called "Dragon Flame Tornado." 

This technique drew enemies into the vortex created by the wind release, intensifying the flames and creating a massive firestorm that spun like a giant fiery dragon.

Jirobo sensed the attack's immense power and activated the second level of his cursed seal, raising a series of earth walls to protect himself. 

Though Naruto's jutsu quickly destroyed the walls, Jirobo managed to continuously raise more defences, which caused a cloud of dust to fill the air, obscuring the battlefield. 

Naruto signalled Neji, who activated his Byakugan and pointed out Jirobo's location.

While Jirobo struggled to catch his breath after escaping Naruto's attack, Naruto appeared behind him, wind whistling as he approached. 

"Rasengan!" Naruto hit Jirobo in the back with the Rasengan, sending him flying and crashing into the ground, creating a large crater. 

Though gravely injured, Jirobo wasn't immediately killed and stared in disbelief. 

"I can't believe you took me down... Konoha's so-called genius... the blond one... is that you?"

Seeing Naruto easily defeat such a powerful enemy with a new technique, Shikamaru and the others were deeply impressed. 

A breeze gently moved Naruto's white cloak as he stood there with a confident smile, raising his status in their eyes. 

Kiba and Neji, who saw Naruto as a rival, couldn't help but think, 'Naruto... Every time we meet, he grows stronger. Is the gap between us only going to widen?'

After defeating Jirobo, the team continued their pursuit. 

To avoid exposing his identity, Naruto refrained from using his signature lightning and water-based jutsu, making it harder for him to finish off enemies quickly. 

However, with three more opponents remaining, they must carefully strategize to win. 

Shikamaru suggested transforming into Jirobo to trick the Sound Four and retrieve Sasuke. 

Most of the team thought this was a good plan, but Naruto disagreed.

Naruto pointed out that the Sound Four had likely worked together for a long time and had strong teamwork, making it difficult to deceive them. 

Even if they successfully retrieved Sasuke, escaping while surrounded by the Sound Four would be nearly impossible. 

Naruto proposed that they pretend to have barely escaped from Jirobo, forcing the Sound Four to leave one member behind while the others took Sasuke. 

This way, they could defeat their enemies one by one. Though Shikamaru was the team leader, he realized Naruto's logic made sense and carefully considered his opinion. 

He revised the plan based on Naruto's suggestion, and the team agreed to proceed with the updated strategy.

According to Shikamaru's plan, Neji, Kiba, and Choji advanced ahead while Shikamaru and Naruto kept a certain distance, following behind the group. 

As they continued to pursue the enemy, they realized no traps had been set, indicating that the enemy was very confident in Jirobo's strength. 

The large opponent they had previously faced, believing that he would have completely defeated Shikamaru's team.

Soon, the three at the front approached the enemies, and Choji launched the first attack, followed by Kiba, while Neji moved in to try and retrieve Sasuke. 

Even though their appearance was unexpected, the enemy dealt with their combined assault easily. 

The hot-tempered Tayuya cursed in frustration, yelling, "What the hell is Jirobo doing? How could he let them catch up this quickly? That idiot!" 

Sakon replied, "Seems like we shouldn't have left our weakest member behind."

At this point, Kidomaru, the six-armed ninja, stepped forward and said, "You two go ahead. Don't waste Lord Orochimaru's time. I'll take care of these pests quickly." 

His strength surpassed Jirobo's, and the others fully believed him. 

Nodding in agreement, they carried Sasuke's coffin and continued forward.

Kidomaru's spider webs were incredibly sticky and durable, and he could produce them in large amounts. 

Soon, Neji and the others were entangled in the webs and on the verge of defeat. 

However, Neji managed to cut through the webs using his Byakugan to pinpoint and sever the chakra threads within the web, countering Kidomaru's technique. 

Without a direct counter to the web, Naruto realized Neji was the best match for Kidomaru. 

He turned to Shikamaru and said, "Don't reveal yourself yet. Wait for the right moment to coordinate with Neji and take him down." 

"Observe the enemy's moves, and don't strike until you're sure."

With Neji holding Kidomaru at bay, Kiba and Choji continued the pursuit while Naruto followed them, still keeping a low profile. 

Naruto trusted that with Shikamaru's help, Neji could handle the fight without major issues. 

Sometime later, Kiba and Choji caught up with the other two Sound ninjas. 

This time, Sakon took notice of them. "Even Jirobo wasn't a big deal, but Kidomaru couldn't stop them either?" 

"Looks like we're getting into real trouble," Sakon remarked. 

Turning to Tayuya, he said, "You go ahead with the container and ensure Lord Orochimaru's vessel gets there safely. I'll take care of these guys."

Just as Tayuya was about to leave with Sasuke's coffin, Naruto's hand suddenly emerged, grabbing her. 

Several shadow clones appeared at once, restraining her. 

Focused on her mission, Tayuya hadn't anticipated an earth-style jutsu, leaving her momentarily immobilized.

"Rasengan!" A white-robed Naruto descended from the sky. 

Tayuya immediately activated her Curse Mark Level 2, using her immense strength to break free from Naruto's shadow clones, but it was too late to avoid the Rasengan. 

Despite her raw power, she was still just a physical being, and under the overwhelming chakra force of Naruto's Rasengan, she was killed instantly. 

This was exactly why Naruto had chosen to target her—she was the easiest to take down with a single blow. 

Had it been Sakon, the fight would've been much harder.

Seeing Tayuya fall, Sakon turned and yelled, "Tayuya!" 

Then, focusing on Naruto, he said, "So you're the genius of Konoha—Naruto Uzumaki." 

No wonder Jirobo and Kidomaru couldn't stop you. I assume they're dead as well, aren't they?"

Choji and Kiba shouted, "Naruto, great job! Now we just need to take down this two-headed freak!"

Just as Naruto was about to finish off Sakon, another white-robed figure appeared silently beside him. 

The usually arrogant Sakon's expression was suddenly filled with fear. "Kimimaro! I thought your body was…"

Kimimaro coldly replied, "I can move according to my will again. You've wasted Lord Orochimaru's precious time." 

"If it were up to me, I'd kill you right here. Now, hold them off. I'll personally ensure Lord Orochimaru's next vessel is delivered."

With that, Kimimaro took the coffin holding Sasuke and disappeared. 

Desperate to prove himself, Sakon entered Curse Mark Level 2, recklessly blocking Naruto and the others. 

However, Naruto quickly used a substitution jutsu twice to evade, leaving Kiba and Choji to hold off Sakon.

Kimimaro's speed was impressive, but Naruto managed to catch up since he was carrying the coffin. 

When Kimimaro notices Naruto, he sets down the coffin and says, "So, Sakon is worthless. You must be the genius Kabuto spoke of." 

"Too bad you'll die here today." Naruto, fully aware of Kimimaro's power, displayed a serious expression. "It's hard to say who will win."

"I know you're much stronger than the others, but giving up isn't my style," he responded, preparing to fight.

Naruto began with a series of hand signs. "Earth Style: Earth Flow River!" A river of mud surged towards Kimimaro, but he kept advancing. 

"Fire Style: Fire Dragon Bullet!" Yet, Kimimaro continued to press forward, albeit with difficulty. "Earth Style: Earth Wall!" 

Naruto kept using long-range jutsu while leaping back to maintain distance from Kimimaro.

After Naruto's attacks ceased, Kimimaro paused his advance and coldly remarked, 

"You're keeping your distance because close combat would be your downfall, right? But these weak jutsu won't do anything to me."

As Kimimaro charged forward, Naruto created five shadow clones, each launching jutsu sequentially. 

"Earth Style: Earth Dragon Bullet!" Multiple earthen bullets rained down, slowing Kimimaro's advance. "Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu!" 

The intense heat from the fire jutsu caused some burns, forcing Kimimaro to activate his Curse Mark. Bones started to protrude from his body. 

"Wind Style: Great Breakthrough!" The wind jutsu increased the fire's intensity, while the immense pressure made it hard for Kimimaro to move.

While Kimimaro focused on defending against the onslaught, Naruto leapt into the air, preparing his attack. "Giant Rasengan!" 

As Kimimaro saw the situation unfold, he entered his Curse Mark Level 2 form, with even more bones sprouting, enveloping him in massive bone armour.

Naruto's Giant Rasengan smashed into the bone shield. 

The Rasengan's immense power caused the bones to crack, but their strength was greater than Naruto had anticipated. 

Although part of the shield was broken, it didn't fully penetrate the armour. 

Nevertheless, the force of the Giant Rasengan knocked Kimimaro back a considerable distance before he regained his footing.

Naruto was surprised that his most powerful technique didn't severely injure Kimimaro. No wonder Orochimaru was so eager to use Kimimaro's body.

Just then, the coffin holding Sasuke began to emit a dark aura, and moments later, Sasuke emerged. 

Having fully awakened his Curse Mark powers, Sasuke felt an overwhelming surge of strength and laughed sinisterly. 

Without even glancing at Naruto, he immediately ran toward Orochimaru's hideout.

"Naruto, go after Sasuke! Leave this guy to me!" Naruto turned to see Rock Lee, freshly out of the hospital, arriving just in time to assist.

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